Rick Mayer
Digital ProducerI’m the online producer for Health News Florida, a collaboration of public radio stations and NPR that delivers news about health care issues.
This is an important position at WUSF. In 2019, the typical U.S. family spent about 11 percent of its annual income on health care, so it stands to reason issues of cost, quality, access and innovation are consequential to all Floridians. Then COVID-19 came along, and the weight of these matters gained exponentially. I take our reporting on these topics quite seriously, as I’m sure you do, too.
Literally growing up in newsrooms and a little serendipity along the way prepared me well for the post. Here’s the abridged version: I’m a Tampa guy, graduating from H.B. Plant High and thrust into the world with my USF degree rolled tightly in hand. From there, it was three mostly sleepless decades as an editor at The Tampa Tribune, then developing and managing an online journal serving physician executives. There’s also my side job editing a statewide health magazine.
And being married to a longtime hospital nurse/case manager helps; dinner conversation often gives me a feel of what’s happening on the front lines. The good and not-so-good.
Of course, my time isn’t always spent flailing in the health news vortex. You’re actually more likely to find me breaking down the Bucs, Bulls or Bolts after a game, taking Oodle the poodle to the dog park or tinkering the backroom piano while vicariously reliving my former life as a musician. (Remember, kids: Parents of percussionists have plenty of patience. Plenty!)
Contact Rick on X @rmayer2361 or by email at Mayer1@wusf.org.
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One case in Hillsborough and two in Broward were confirmed in patients younger than 4, according to a state database. The Palm Beach case was reported at a high school. -
Joshua Wostal tells WDAE the county is investigating nearly 3,000 emails sent to commissioners from one IP address in Los Angeles. He also questions whether the Rays have the financing to avoid taxpayer risk. -
Both measures were priorities for Gov. Ron DeSantis before his term ends in January, but House Speaker Daniel Perez announced members will vote on redistricting and be dismissed. -
A momentum-swinging hit by Max Crozier and two third-period goals by Brandon Hagel highlight Tampa Bay's comeback from a 2-0 deficit in a 3-2 victory. Game 5 is on Wednesday in Tampa. -
The team said it remains committed to a 2029 opening but pushed back on Hillsborough officials' requests for stronger financial guarantees and earlier private funding disclosures. -
Despite a Rays warning that changing the timeline would jeopardize the project, the team says it's working "diligently" on a response to the county's list of 14 unresolved conditions. -
Fans can get together to watch Tampa Bay and Montreal battle on Friday at Armature Works and Sunday at Coachman Park. -
Vice Chair Mike Griffin, known as "Mr. USF," will lead the board, pending elections. Weatherford, who will remain as trustee, led the panel during a period of unprecidented institutional growth. -
Commissioner Ken Hagan tells WDAE existing restricted revenues can fund most of the county's share, but critics of the plan say taxpayers are still exposed through reserves and emergency dollars. -
Tampa Bay holds the 15th pick on Thursday night. That likely won't happen until at least 9:30, giving partygoers time to partake in the "immersive fan activities, giveaways and bar takeovers."
